London City 2-1 Everton: Cascarino and Godfrey keep Lionesses close to leading pair

London City Lionesses maintained their place among the Women’s Super League’s leading sides with a 2-1 victory over Everton at the CopperJax Community Stadium on Sunday 18 October.

Delphine Cascarino and Freya Godfrey established a two-goal half-time advantage before substitute Hannah Cain’s reply gave Everton hope.

The Lionesses held on to remain third with 15 points, three behind Manchester City and one behind Chelsea.

London City 2-1 Everton: different scorers deliver

Our pre-match analysis examined why London City’s threat extends beyond Alexia Putellas. This result provided another illustration, with Putellas starting on the bench and two other attackers supplying the goals.

Cascarino opened the scoring after 24 minutes, finishing inside the penalty area after being found by Daniëlle van de Donk.

Courtney Brosnan then saved Godfrey’s header, but the forward beat her in the 35th minute. Grace Geyoro supplied the pass and Godfrey struck left-footed from outside the box.

The hosts lost Lucía Corrales to injury before half-time, with Janni Thomsen replacing her.

Cain gives Everton hope before Lete intervenes

Everton’s changes brought a response. Cain came on in the 64th minute and headed in Holly McNamara’s cross seven minutes later.

Elene Lete’s late contribution proved important. The goalkeeper saved Naomi Layzell’s close-range header in the 88th minute after Yuka Momiki’s delivery, preserving the advantage recorded in Sky Sports’ match timeline.

Everton remain on nine points, with all three of their away league matches ending in defeat.

For London City, this was a different examination from their 6-1 victory at Tottenham before the international break. Their first-half finishing established the lead; their ability to withstand Everton’s response ensured it became another three points.

Related: London City Lionesses vs Everton predicted lineups: León doubt and Kramžar absence